Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Starting point for Tiling bathtub surround walls

I've done quite a few floor tile jobs, but I'm about to do my first tub surround. My question is two-fold.....
1. When I make my starter lines on the cement board, do I start with the bottom row (on top of the tub) or do I start with the second coursr up from the tub? I've heard for some reason to start with the second course.

2. My thought is to do the long-wall first (as you face the tub from outside the tub), start in the center and work out to the corners with all the cut pieces at the corners. Then do the end walls by starting from the outside edge with bullnose and working in toward the corners so again the cut pieces will be in the corners

I am using 12x12 ceramic with cement board for a backer. Tiles will be laid in a straight pattern...nothing fancy. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Mark

Hi Mark,

I can tell pretty soon you won't be asking advice, you'll be giving it!

Here's an excerpt from a the tile book, " Working With Tile" that gives you the step by step on the order of tiling the surround.
http://books.google.com/books?id=_gyi7Kzi9QoC&pg=PA102&lpg=PA102&dq=tile+tub+surround+start+second+row&source=web&ots=UBYKXbDwIF&sig=K64jX_U0R95sFGJVgWltUw7ETOU&hl=en#PPP1,M1

Thanks for the link Connie. Unfortunately my computer could not open that link (I have a Mac and sometimes links don't work).:confused:

Sorry...go to Google.
Type "Google Books Tile tub surround"

See if that gets it for you.

I did one better....I found it at Menards for $17 so I just bought the book, Great book and thanks for the recommendation!@:p